Three oil rig workers killed, one critically injured in Terengganu lifeboat accident

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 25 — Police have confirmed that three oil rig workers died while another has been critically injured after the lifeboat they were in fell into the sea during maintenance work at the Sepat platform in Terengganu-Kelantan waters yesterday.

Kuala Terengganu District Police Chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor identified the deceased as Ahmad Fiqri Zakaria, 38, from Batu Berendam, Melaka; Muhammad Faezuan Hakim Mohammad Bustamam, 28, from Kuantan, Pahang; and Nik Muhammad Hafifi Asri Ab Majid, 38, from Bandar Indera Mahkota, Pahang.

He added that another victim, Mohd Taufik Mohd Ruslan, 37, from Banting, Selangor, was reported to be critically injured and is currently receiving treatment at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) here.

“In the incident that occurred around 12.50pm, all four victims were believed to have boarded a lifeboat on the platform to lower themselves to the sea to carry out maintenance work on the lower section of the platform. All victims were platform safety department personnel who were conducting maintenance on the lifeboat.

“However, the rope or hook attached to the boat is believed to have detached, causing all the victims to fall into the sea along with the boat,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Elaborating further, Azli said the rescue team subsequently brought all the victims back up to the platform before they were airlifted by helicopter to the Sultan Mahmud Airport (LTSM) at around 4.00pm.

He said that all the victims arrived at LTSM at 5.00pm before being rushed to the HSNZ Emergency Unit.

“However, three victims were confirmed dead upon arrival at the hospital, while another sustained severe injuries, believed to be bone fractures,” he said.

He added that the bodies of the three victims were then taken to the HSNZ Forensic Department for post-mortems while the case is currently being investigated as sudden death, and the post-mortems will be conducted today. — Bernama